School.
After watching Song Qi's car disappear around the corner, the two of them climbed back the way they came.
As soon as she landed, Shen Jianxi turned and looked around. Everyone was in morning self-study, and this place was remote, so there was no one around. She casually threw a punch at Xie Shu's shoulder.
"What were you shouting about earlier?"
Song Qi's face had been so dark he could have dripped ink. She knew that Song Qi's favorability had increased so much today probably because his mindset had changed. Although it was thanks to Xie Shu provoking him, it didn't stop her from punching him.
"Ouch!" Shen Jianxi's punch made Xie Shu's shoulder go numb. He rubbed his shoulder and moved it slightly. Luckily, it wasn't broken. "Your brother provoked me first!"
"Brother doesn't want me to date early. If you say that, he'll definitely misunderstand and scold me when I get home," she said, lowering her head, her voice trembling.
This made Xie Shu panic. "No, no, you, you're still afraid of your brother?"
After he said that, he realized it might have been inappropriate. He thought for a moment and then said, "Of course, I'm not saying you're strong or powerful. I mean, it's..."
Xie Shu stammered for a long time, unable to figure out what to say.
*Screw your strong and powerful! I'm clearly a delicate little loli!*
*Sweet voice! Soft body! Easy to push down! Alright?*
Choked by Xie Shu's words, Shen Jianxi deliberately made her emotions appear more and more dejected, even with a hint of sobbing. "I have no parents, no friends, only my brother. Brother has always been strict and set many rules." Sudanshan Novel Network
"If I break those rules, my brother won't want me anymore."
"Then I'll truly have no home."
Hearing her say this, Xie Shu's guilt deepened. "I, I'm sorry. It was my fault today. I thought your brother was quite good to you..."
Seeing her getting increasingly upset, Xie Shu became flustered.
Although Shen Jianxi kept her head down, her peripheral vision was constantly observing his reaction. Crying and fussing had to be done in moderation. Too much would not only fail to elicit sympathy but would also be annoying.
She watched as Xie Shu paced back and forth, his face anxious. After thinking about something, he seemed particularly conflicted.
He leaned against a tree with one hand, closed his eyes, and pondered.
Just as Shen Jianxi was guessing what he was thinking, Xie Shu suddenly opened his eyes, clenched his fist, and walked towards her with a solemn expression.
She quickly averted her gaze, pretending to know nothing, and only looked up when a pair of sneakers appeared in her line of sight.
Meeting the gaze of the girl's watery eyes, her fair face flushed red from crying earlier. This made Xie Shu forget everything he had planned to say.
*Strange, strangely cute.*
He suddenly couldn't recall her fighting stance. No wonder everyone in the class said she looked exquisite and beautiful like a doll.
77: "Beep! Favorability +3, Xie Shu's current favorability is 23."
"Do you have something to say?" Can you stop staring at me? It's kind of creepy.
"That, what I wanted to say is..."
"I..." Being looked at like that, Xie Shu found it hard to speak.
"Say it!" Shen Jianxi was getting anxious. What exactly did Xie Shu want to say?
*If you say half a sentence, I'll break your legs.*
Urged by her, Xie Shu decided to go for broke. He stood in front of her, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then opened his arms and said in a shy, soft voice, "If you're really sad, I can give you a hug."
After all, she liked him, so this would surely make her feel a little better.
After waiting for a long time with no movement, Xie Shu opened one eye to gauge her reaction. To his surprise, the space in front of him was empty.
*Where did she go???*
Xie Shu turned to look, then turned around to find that the person who was supposed to shyly hug him for comfort was already standing ten meters away, watching him.
Seeing him turn back, she even waved and said, "Xie Shu, what are you doing? Why aren't you walking?"
Xie Shu lowered his somewhat sore arm and walked back expressionlessly. As he passed Shen Jianxi, she suddenly grabbed him. "Xie Shu, what's wrong?"
"It's, nothing." It was better not to mention it. The more he thought about his self-deception just now, the more embarrassed he felt. His expression darkened, and he walked ahead without a word.
*He! Is! An! Idiot!*
Watching Xie Shu's grumpy retreating back, and remembering how he had stood in front of her with a flushed face offering a hug, Shen Jianxi suppressed a giggle and followed him, tugging at his clothes. "Xie Shu, don't walk so fast."
"Xie Shu, why aren't you talking to me? Don't be angry~"
"I'm not!" he snarled.
"You say you're not angry, but your face is all red from anger."
"I'm tanned!"
Lying. He was clearly blushing from shyness.
"You don't look good when you're angry."
"What anger? I'm not angry!"
...
At noon, the scorching sun hung high in the sky. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the clouds, casting long shadows of the two figures on the ground. The girl's delicate voice echoed through the deserted campus. A slightly cool breeze blew, gradually extinguishing the fire in someone's heart, though his expression remained unchanged.